State sets aside Sh1b to build and equip technical institutes

Deputy President William Ruto during the commissioning of the construction of Lang'ata Technical and Vocational College in Madaraka, Nairobi, yesterday. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The government has set aside Sh1 billion for development of 30 technical and vocational training centres in the country.

This was revealed by Deputy President William Ruto during a ground-breaking ceremony for the Lang’ata Vocational Training Centre in Madaraka.

“The money will be used to ensure the vocational centres are equipped to have more young people acquire technical skills,” the DP said.

Priority

He said Sh100 million has been earmarked for the construction of the Lang’ata vocational centre, out of which Sh47 million has already been disbursed.

The institution is expected to be completed in the next five months in time for its opening in July.

Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir said education is a priority that will empower more youth.

“People have been telling me to build police stations but I decided to invest in education,” Korir said.

Ruto said each student joining the institution will get a bursary of Sh30,000 and will be eligible for a loan of up to Sh40,000 from the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb).

The institution will sit on a three-and-a-half-acre piece of land donated by Madaraka Primary School and is expected to offer artisan courses, including motor vehicle mechanics, catering and fashion and design among others.

The DP asked chiefs and their assistants to track down students yet to report to secondary schools and have them admitted, even as he warned parents who are keeping children at home.

“We’ll hold parents who will not take their children to school accountable because we are working to ensure 100 per cent transition,” he said.

While Ruto avoided politics, MPs at the event told off governors rooting for a third tier of government.

More positions

“We want the BBI that was launched at Bomas, not the one that retiring governors are talking about. We do not need more positions, but a BBI that will focus on how to make the lives of people better,” Korir said. Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie said old men trying to have Nairobi County disbanded should allow devolution to work.

He took issue with nominated MP Maina Kamanda and former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru’s proposal to have the county run by a committee.

Other MPs present at the event included Embakai West’s George Theuri and his Buuri counterpart Mugambi Murwithania.